Torque converter



Jan. 4, 1966 M. ORAIN 3,227,004

TORQUE CONVERTER Filed March 6, 1963 fign/ Fig.2

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 W204).- Mlle/2&4 mm .B? dmap w 4W Jan. 4, 1966 M. ORAIN 3,227,004

TORQUE CONVERTER Filed March 6, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 4, 1966 Filed March 6, 1963 F1 ll M. ORAIN 3,227,004

TORQUE CONVERTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 M. ORAIN TORQUE CONVERTER Jan. 4, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 6, 1963 United States Patent Office 3,227,004 Patented Jan. 4, 1966 3,227,004 TORQUE CONVERTER Michel Grain, Courhevoie, France, assignor to Glaenzer Spicer Societe Anonyrne, Poissy, Seine ct Oise, France, a corporation of France Filed Mar. 6, 1963, Ser. No. 263,163 Claims priority, application France, Mar. 13, 1962, 890,841 15 Claims. (Cl. 74-796) This invention relates to a torque converter.

An object of the invention is to obtain a torque converter that is highly efficient.

Another object of the invention is such a torque converter in which the speed of the output shaft can be varried from zero to direct transmission with the input shaft by automatic or manual control A further object of the invention is a torque converter in which the direction of rotation of the output shaft can be reversed.

The invention, which is connected between a motor and a machine, greatly simplifies or entirely replaces the starting up means of the machine.

Mounted in a motor vehicle, it permits the transmission ratio to the wheels to be adapted to the conditions of the road and, when the need arises, it allows braking with the motor when descending.

The torque converter of the invention essentially comprises a driving ring, or driver, rotatively coupled to the input shaft of the converter; a driven ring rotatively coupled to the output shaft; and a reaction ring, or reactor, rotatively coupled to the converter housing and absorbing the difference between the torque applied to the input shaft and the out-put shaft. The three rings are substantially coaxial and each is in tangential contact with its neighbour, there being altogether two points of contact, under the action of centrifugal force.

The rings can have internal or external treads that are surfaces of revolution, with straight or curved generatrices.

The tangential contact can be inside or outside or both.

The rings can have support surfaces that have double tapers or conicities, .to permit reversal of direction of the output shaft with respect to the input shaft.

The coupling between the drive and driven rings and the input and output shafts, respectively, consists of universal joints or equivalent means.

The center of gravity can be kept substantially still by placing adjustable elastic means between, preferably, the reaction ring and the converter housing.

The converter can comprise doubled drive and driven members, each member being shifted 180 in the plane of rotation from its other member, whereby the reactor receives only balanced forces, and the two members, whether driven or driving, being coupled by an Oldham joint or other equivalent joint.

The invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in section of one embodiment of the rings;

FIG. 2 is an end of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 schematically show how the torque is transmitted from one ring to another;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show one embodiment of the torque converter that cancels outside reactions;

FIG. 8 shows means for facilitating the starting-up of the conical rotation of the transmitter;

FIG. 9 shows an arrangement for reversing the direction of rotation of the output shaft with respect to that of the input shaft;

FIG. 10 shows a system of weights acting on the driven ring, and

FIGS. 11 to 24 schematically show various arrangements of the rings.

The converter of the invention essentially comprises three elements of revolution: a driving ring 1 rotatively coupled to the input shaft of the converter; a driven ring 2 rotatively coupled to the output shaft; and a reaction ring 3 fixed to the housing of the converter.

These three rings, which are substantially coaxial, are in tangential contact at two points that are internal or external or internal and external, according to the embodiment and the operation of the particular ring considered.

In the first example schematically shown as in FIG. 2, the rings 1 and 2 are indicated as in mutual contact at point A and rings 2 and 3 at point B.

The manner in which torque is transferred from one ring to another is made clearer in FIGURES 3 and 4.

By means of a universal joint 5 and a shaft 6, the drive shaft 4 drives a cone 7 whose apex substantially corresponds to the center of the joint 5. The cone 7, which has a radius r, is strongly pressed by centrifugal force against the surface of an inner cone 8 of radius R, upon which surface it rolls when the drive shaft 4 rotates. The apex of cone 8 likewise is located at the center of the universal joint 5. The axis of cone 7 describes a cone of revolution with a speed to, such that if drive shaft 4 turns at a speed n:

The centrifugal force F will be proportional to the mass m of cone 7, to the square of w, and to (--r) or the radius of circumference described by the center from which it is apparent that the centrifugal force F can be given as high a value as necessary by reducing the value of the denominator (R-r), that is to say, by reducing the difference between the diameters r and R of cones 7 and 8, respectively.

If, now, a ring 9, having an internal bore and an outer surface that are cones of which the apices substantially are located at the center of the joint 5 (FIGURE 5) ,-is interposed between cones 7 and 8, we see that the transmitting cone 7 will roll inside of ring 9, while the ring will roll inside of cone 8 describing a movement that can be reduced to two simpler movements: a

(1) A rotation of speed to of the axis of revolution of the ring 9 about the axis of revolution of the inner fixed cone 8; and

(2) a rotation of speed N of the ring about its own axis of revolution.

If, to simplify the mathematics, we make the approximation that the inner and outer cones of. ring 9 have a common rolling radius R at the point of contact, the speed of rotation of this ring about its axis of revolutio will be:

and

If ring 9 is translated axially, the contact radius R can be varied between two limits: an upper limit R R and a lower limit 1{=r, each limit corresponding to a locking of the ring 9. In the first case, it is locked to the inner cone 8 and in the second to the outer cone 7. When R=R, the ratio between the rotational speeds of the ring 9 and cone 7 is The speed N of the ring 9 is zero, which is obviously true because the ring 9 is locked against the inner cone 8, which is stationary.

When R r, the same ratio is In this case, the rotational speeds of ring9 and cone 7 are equal, which is also obvious because, in this instance, the ring 9 is locked against the cone 7. In other words, there is direct transmission between cone 7 and ring 9.

For positions between these two limits, all ratios N/rt between zero and one are possible To use the power transmitted to ring 9, it is only necessary to connect to it an output shaft 12 by means of a tubular transmission shaft 10 and a universal joint 11, or an elastic joint, centered at the common apices of the cones.

The torqueC transmitted to the output shaft 12 will be such that the power received by this shaft will be equal to the power developed by shaft 4 is connected to cone 7. If the torque of shaft 4 is c, then CN=cn, where the torque of the output shaft 12 is c n (ll (Rr) N r (R(B) The fact that the force with which one drive member presses on another is supplied by centrifugal force is one characteristic of the invention.

The maximum input torque Cmax. that can be accepted N 1' 'C C mNnr max. max. n

In other words, if this converter is connected between an electric mot-or or an internal combustion engine and a machine having inertia, the torque required of the motor or engine will be very small when it is started up, resulting in a very considerable simplification, or even in the complete elimination, of the starting up arrangement for the machine.

The coefficient of friction f varies according to the material constituting the rolling surfaces, which can be steel, rubber, or any other material capable of sustain- 4 ing pressure and of transmitting by friction a tangential force.

Where the coefficient of friction at the points of contact is small, the starting up of the conical rotation of the axis of the driving cone 7 can be helped when the drive shaft 4 begins to turn. It suffices to add a ring 16 (FIG. URE 8) made of a material possessing a high coeflicient of friction, such as rubber, either to the driven ring 2 or to the driving cone 1 of the embodiment of FIGURE 6. This friction ring starts the rotation at the beginning. When the speed to is reached, and the centrifugal force F is established, the friction ring slightly draws back, permitting the actual rolling paths to come into contact. When ring 2 is later axially moved, ring 16 is completely freed and, consequently, undergoes no wear and tear.

FIGURE 9 illustrates one simple way of changing the direction of rotation of the output shaft with respect to the input shaft, without stopping the latter.

In the arrangement shown, the drive cone 1"! is coupled to the input or drive shaft 4, and the driven ring 23 consists of two conical portions: a portion 1%, for regular operation, of which the apex is located at the common center of the joints of the shafts, and a portion 19 oppositely inclined with respect to 18. Conical zones 20 and 21, supported by the reactor 24, can be moved apart or together, under control of the operator, along the axial direction. When they are moved together, zones 19 and 21 are brought into contact, and the driven member 23 turns in i the opposite direction of that of the driving cone 17. If

the two conical zones 20 and 21 are moved apart, zones 18 and 20 are brought into contact, and 23 rotates in the direction of that of 17.

The embodiments shown schematically in FIGURES 3 to 5, just described, have been simplified to clarify the explanation of the principle of operation.

It is apparent that a converter of the kind just described is useful only for mall power, unless there is available an engine mount to support a reaction cone of suffi-cient size. The radial force F necessary to transmit a torque by friction at the points of contact must be large. This, however, is not difficult to obtain, as explained above. But F turns at a speed to, and in the simplified embodiment of FIGURE 3 the mount holding the reactor cone 8 receives the rotating force F and transmits it to its mountings: this is incompatible with the design of a light structure, such as a vehicle. Obviously, the driving and driven cones rolling in or on a single reactor cone could be doubled (FIGURE 24) by separating the two forces F thus obtained by some angle, although this complicates the embodiment. I

According to one suitable embodiment of the invention for cancelling the exterior reactions or forces, the reaction cone is made radially movable. This mobility can be obtained in the same way as for the other cones, that is, to joint the reaction cone about a central point of a universal joint or of an elastic joint. Advantageously, this point is located near the apices of the other cones. The arrangement is shown in FIGURE 6.

The input shaft 4 is connected to the driving ring or cone -1 by means of a universal joint 5. The reaction ring or cone 3 is connected to the housing 13 of the converter by means of a universal joint 14, and the driven ring 2 is connected to the driven shaft 12 through a universal joint 11. These universal joints being so well known, they are illustrated only schematically. 'Moreover, they can be replaced by other kinds of mechanical joints or by known elastic joints that permit the necessary conical clearance.

The relative positions taken by the three rings during operation are shown schematically in FIGURE 7. The center of gravity of the group of three rings 1, 2, and 3 is G. The centers of rings 1, 2, and 3 are 0, P, and Q, respectively. Point A identifies the point of contact between the driving and driven rings 1 and 2 and point B that between the driven and reaction rings 2 and 3.

The centrifugal force exerted by each ring is represented by a vector passing through the center of the respective ring and through the combined center of gravity G.

- The center of gravity G is substantially motionless dur ing operation. By placing adjustable springs between the reaction ring 3 and the housing 13, the point G is substantially located on the axle CD of the housing 13. The springs are designed so that the natural frequency of the suspension of the three rings is much lower than the lowest frequency of conical rotation to encountered in use. Thus, the combination is perfectly stable when in rotation, and the forces transmitted by the springs to the housing are negligible. The residual radial forces acting on joints 5, 11, and 14 (FIGURE 6) can be reduced by taking into account the two principal inertias of the rings and choosing a suitable position for the contact Zones with respect to the location of the center of gravity G and of these joints.

The ratio between the input and output speeds can be varied during operation or even when the input or drive shaft is stopped. In the embodiment of FIGURE 6, for example, it suffices to move the driven ring 2 axially.

Since the apices of the four cones of revolution that form the rolling paths have a common point, rolling occurs without sliding, wherefor the converter is very efiicient. In order for the driven ring 2 to be movable axially, this condition can be exactly fulfilled by slightly incurving the generatrices of the two rolling paths, as shown in FIGURE 6.

This embodiment lends itself particularly well to the simple control of the reduction ratio of the speed and torque, for example, of the input shaft.

' FIGURE 10 illustrates an embodiment using weights 25, similar to the scheme of known centrifugal governors, acting on the axial movement of the driven ring 2. A torque coupler 26, that changes the torque of shaft 4 into an axial movement of a rod 27 connected also to the driven ring 2, changes the reduction ratio as a function of the input torque in accordance with any desired law.

Such a control can be used advantageously in motor vehicles powered by heat engines or electric motors, because the transmission ratio is automatically adjusted to the road conditions.

As a secondary advantage, it should be noted that the converter allows maximum use of the braking action of the motor when going down hill and to slow down the vehicle until it is stopped dead, if necessary.

FIGURES 1, 7, and 12 illustrate an arrangement of the drive element 1, the driven element 2, and the reactor 3 which permit varying the speed ratio N/n between the output and input shafts from zero to one, the latter limit corresponding to direct transmission. In this arrangement, the driven element is located between the driver and the reactor.

Other embodiments lying within the scope of the invention are shown, by way of example, in FIGURES 11 to 19. They permit to obtaining of other features that can be used in Whole or in part.

In the embodiments of FIGURES 13 and 14, the reaction ring 3 is located between the drive ring 1 and the driven ring 2. These two embodiments have the special property that the ratio N/n of the output to the input speed can be varied from zero to infinity. The sense of rotation of the driven ring 2 is the opposite of that of the drive ring 1.

In the embodiments of FIGURES 11 and 15, the drive ring 1 is located between the driven ring 2 and the reactor 3. The possible variation of N/n extends from one to infinity. The drive and driven rings 1 and 2 rotate in the same direction.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 16, the driving and driven members 1 and 2, respectively, roll side by side on the inner surface of the reactor 3. The ratio of N/n varies from zero to infinity. The rotation of the members 1 and 2 can be in the same, or in opposite, directions.

of n.

6 In the latter case, the center of the reactor 3 no longer describes a circumference.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 17, the driven ring 2 and the reactor ring 3 roll inside of the drive ring. The ratio N/n of the output speed and the input speed can vary from one to zero and from zero to less than infinity. This embodiment permits, in particular, to progressively change from direct transmission to a complete stop to operation in reverse. FIGURE 21 shows a variation of this embodiment.

The embodiment of FIGURE 18, in which the drive and reactor rings roll inside of the driven ring, allows of the obtaining of N/n ratios from one to zero.

FIGURE 19 shows one possible embodiment where the driving member 1 is not coaxial with the driven member 2. The reactor 3, acting somewhat as a drive rod, transmits the impulses to member 2 that it receives from the drive member 1. The ratio N/n ranges from zero to infinity. The output shaft can rotate in either direction and is determined when starting up.

FIGURE 20'schematically shows an embodiment particularly suitable for greatly reducing or stepping up the speed of the output shaft.

If this embodiment is used as a speed changer-reducer, the input shaft 30 transmits the drive rotation to shaft 31 through a universal joint 32 or an equivalent elastic joint. Shaft 31 is positioned by a bearing 33 and carries at its one end an eccentric weight 34. When the input shaft 30 rotates, the weight 34 transmits a conical rotation, having a speed to about the center IX of the universal joints 32 and 37, to the axis XX that is common to shaft 31, cone 35, and hollow shaft 36. The cone 35 is thus constrained to roll on the inside surface of the reactor cone 3 and to turn about its axis of revolution at the out put speed N which it imparts t-o shaft 29. The speed to in this embodiment of the invention is obviously equal to the input speed It: w=n. The formula giving the output speed N as a function of w is the same as that shown earlier:

from which the reduction ratio is It can be seen that the input shaft 30 and the output shaft 29 rotate in opposite directions, since R is, according to the arrangement of FIGURE 13, necessarily smaller than R. The ratio N/n can vary progressively from zero, which corresponds to a stopped output shaft, to a maximum value defined by the largest possible value of the ratio RR/R. If the torque developed by the output shaft is to be satisfactory, the centrifugal force of the weight 34 must be large, which obtains for elevated values This embodiment of the invention is for motors turning over at high speeds, such as steam turbines, internal combustion engines, compressed air engines, etc.

If this embodiment is used as a speed changer-multiplier, the functions of shafts 29 and 30 are reversed.

Shaft 29 becomes the input shaft and shaft 30 the output shaft.

cone 35 in the reactor cone 3 can be helped by using a The starting up of the rotational movement of Obviously, the arrangement of elements in FIGURE 20 is only exemplary, other arrangements, such as those previously described, being within the scope of the invention. The reactor 3 can be fixed on a base or elastically suspended and connected to the mount through a universal joint aligned with the universal joints 32 and 37' in the same manner as in FIGURES 6, 10, and 21.

For all of the above embodiments, given by way of example, and not in limitation thereof, it is obvious that the change in the diameter of the rolling path, obtained by the axial movement of the rings, can also be obtained by the axial movement of one or two rings. The treads can have double tapers or conicities or even be replaced by portions of cylinders, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, although where treads or rolling paths are conical or where the point of contact is. conical it is advantageous to eliminate friction by bringing the apices of these cones as close together as possible.

It is obvious that, in accordance with the principle of the invention, it is possible to obtain speed reducers and multipliers of a fixed N n ratio, either using conical roll ing paths that are not moved axially or cylindrical rolling paths.

FIGURE 23 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the rings roll while remaining parallel to the same fixed plane, thanks to the use of shafts with two universal joints.

FIGURE 24 shows an arrangement of the invention in which the outer ring happens to be, by way of example only, the reactor ring 3, which receives only balanced forces, since both the driving and driven members are doubled. Each driving ring 1a and 1b and each driven ring 2a and 2b is shifted from the other 180 along the path of rotation. In this embodiment of a balanced force converter, the two driven rings 2a and 2b are connected by an Oldham coupling 28 or an equivalent arrangement capable of transmitting a torque between two shafts olfset radially.

Finally, it is possible to increase the number of driven rings so as to be able, with the same converter combination, to convey the input power at the same or at different output speeds to two or more machines. FIGURE 22 illustrates the principle of this embodiment in the instance of two driven rings. The same reference numerals, with an added prime, designate the same elements as in the preceding embodiments. Thus, the combination of parts 2 and 12 duplicates that of 2 and 12.

What I claim is:

1. A torque variable converter comprising at least one rotating first drive means; at least one rotatable second driven means; third means for absorbing the differences between the torques applied to the first and second means; means for transferring power from said first means to said second means, including three surface means in cooperative association, one defined by each of said three means; at least one of said three surface means being at least one inner surface defining a radius of curvature and acting as an endless rolling path for at least one other of said surface means defining a smaller radius, whereby the corresponding means of each of said at least one other surface means is made to rotate about itself and to roll about the said at least one inner surface under the influence of centrifugal force at least one of said surface means having a double taper to permit reversal of direction of rotation of said second means, each taper corresponding to one direction of rotation, said double taper being located on said second means and including a first and sec ond oppositely conical portions, and said third means including first and second oppositely conical portions cooperating respectively with said first and second portions of said double taper; and means for engaging correspondingconical portions of said second and third means while disengaging the other corresponding conical portion of said second and third means.

2. A torque variable converter comprising at least one rotating first drive means; at least one rotatable second driven means, third means for absorbing the differences between the torques applied to the first and second means; means for transferring power from said first means to said second means, including three surface means in cooperative association, one defined by each of said three means; at least one of said three surface means being at least one inner surface defining a radius of curvature and acting as an endless rolling path for at least one other of said surface means defining a smaller radius, whereby the corresponding means of each of said at least one other surface means is made to rotate about itself and to roll about the said at least one inner surface under the influence of centrifugal force, each of said three means having a surface of revolution, including said at least one inner surface and said at least one other surface means, which defines an axis of which surfaces at least two have different radii; two of said three means, including said corresponding means, rotating and rolling on endless paths at least one of them under the influence of centrifugal force, the surface of said third means being located between the surfaces of said first and second means, and supporting means for said converter whereby said third means is coupled to said supporting means by a universal joint.

3. A torque and speed converter comprising a first shaft, a framework and a second shaft; said first shaft in cluding a joint; a first ring member integrally rotating with the first shaft through said joint enabling the first ring member to have, a radial or conical freedom to effect a composite movement comprising, on one hand, a rotation linked through said joint to that of said first shaft and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation about said first shaft; 2. second, reacting ring member rotating integrally with the framework and comprising at least one surface of revolution; said second shaft including a further joint; and a third ring member having at least one surface of revolution rotatable integrally with said second shaft through said further joint enabling the third ring memher to have a radial or conical freedom to roll according to a composite motion comprising, on one hand, a rotation in connection with said second shaft owing to said further joint and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation of its center having the same speed as that of the planetary rotation of said first ring member, bearing against and rolling on said second ring member directly or through said first ring member; said three ring members being substantially coaxial and the rotation energy being transmitted from one shaft to the other through the effect of inertial forces developed by the planetary rotation speed common to said first and said third rings; said inertial forces insuring the necessary contact among the three ring members at two points; and at least one of said ring members having a double tapered surface of revolution to permit reversal of direction of rotation of said third ring member, each taper corresponding to one direction of rotation.

4. A torque and speed converter comprising a first shaft, a framework and a secon dshaft; said first shaft including a joint; a first ring member having at least one surface of revolution integrally rotating with the first shaft through said joint enabling the first ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to effect a composite movement comprising, on one hand, a rotation linked through said joint to that of said first shaft and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation about said first shaft; a second, reacting ring member rotating integrally with the framework and comprising at least one surface of revolution; said second shaft including a further joint; and a third ring member having at least one surface of revolution rotatable integrally with said second shaft through said further joint enabling the third ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to roll according to a composite motion comprising, on one hand, a rotation in connection with said second shaft owing to said further joint and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation of its center having the same speed as that of the planetary rotation of said first ring member, bearing against and rolling on said second ring member directly or through said first ring member; said three ring members being substantially coaxial and the rotation energy being transmitted from one shaft to the other through the effect of inertial forces developed by the planetary rotation speed common to said first and said third ring members; said inertial forces insuring the necessary contact among the three ring members at two points; the surfaces of revolution of said three ring members including at least one inner surface means and at least one other surface means, which defines an axis, of which surface means at least two have different radii; two of said three ring members rotating and rolling on endless paths, at least one of them under the influence of centrifiugal force; and wherein said second ring member rotates.

5. A torque and speed converter comprising a first shaft, a framework and a second shaft; said first shaft including a joint; a first ring member having at least one surface of revolution integrally rotating with the first shaft through said joint enabling the first ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to effect a composite movement comprising, on one hand, a rotation linked through said joint to that of said first shaft and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation about said first shaft; a second, reacting ring member rotating integrally with the framework and comprising at least one surface of revolution; said second shaft including a further joint; and a third ring member having at least one surface of revolution rotatable integrally with said second shaft through said, further joint enabling the third ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to roll according to a composite motion comprising, on one hand, a rotation in connection with said second shaft owing to said further joint and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation of its center having the same speed as that of the planetary rotation of said first ring member, bea r ipg against and rolling on said second ring member directly or through said first ring member; said three ring members being substantially coaxial and the rotation energy being transmitted from one shaft to the other through the effect of inertial forces developed by the planetary rotation speed common to said first and said third ring members; said inertial forces insuring the necessary contact among the three ring members at two points; the surfaces of revolution of said three ring members including at least one inner surface means and at least one other surface means, which defines an axis, of which surface means at least two have different radii; two of said three ring members rotating and rolling on endless paths, at least one of them under the influence of centrifugal force; and wherein each of said three ring members rolls and rotates.

, 6. A torque and speed converter comprising a first shaft, a framework and a second shaft; said first shaft including a jint;'a first ring member having at least one surface of revolution integrally rotating with the first shaft through said joint enabling the first ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to effect a composite movement comprising, on one hand, a rotation linked through said joint to that of said first shaft and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation about said first shaft; a second, reacting ring member rotating integrally with the framework and comprising at least one surface of revolution; said second shaft including a further joint; and a third ring member having at least one surface of revolution rotatable integrally with said second shaft through said further joint enabling the third ring member to have aradial or conical freedom to roll according to a composite motion comprising, on one hand, a rotation in connection with said second shaft owing to said further joint and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation of its center having the same sped as that of the planetary rotation of said first ring member, bearing against and rolling on said second ring member directly or through said first ring member; said three ring members being substantially coaxial and the rotation energy being transmitted from one shaft to the other through the effect of inertial forces developed by the planetary rotation speed common to said first and said third ring members; said interial forces insuring the necessary contact among the three ring members at two points; the surfaces of revolution of said three ring members including at least one inner surface means and at least one other surface means, which defines an axis, of which surface means at least two have different radii; two of said three ring members rotating and rolling on endless paths, at least one of them under the influence of centrifugal force; and wherein the surface of revolution of said second ring member is interior of the surfaces of revolution of said first ring member and said third ring member.

7. A torque and speed converter comprising a first shaft, a framework and a second shaft; said first shaft including a joint; a first ring member having at least one surface of revolution integrally rotating with the first shaft through said joint enabling the first ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to effect a composite movement comprising, on one hand, a rotation linked through said joint to that of said first shaft and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation about said first shaft; a second, reacting ring member rotating integrally with the framework and comprising at least one surface of revolution; said second shaft including a further joint; and a third ring member having at least one surface of revolution rotatable integrally with said second shaft through said further joint enabling the third ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to roll according to a composite motion comprising, on one hand, a rotation in connection with said second shaft owing to said further joint and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation of its center having the same speed as that of the planetary rotation of said first ring member, bearing against and rolling on said second ring member directly or through said first ring member; said three ring members being substantially coaxial and the rotation energy being transmitted from one shaft to the other through the effect of inertial forces developed by the planetary rotation speed common to said first and said third ring members; said inertial forces insuring the necessary contact among the three ring members at two points; the surfaces of revolution of said three ring members including at least one inner surface means and at least one other surface means, which defines an axis, of which surface means at least two have different radii; two of said three ring members rotating and rolling on endless paths, at least one of them under the influence of centrifugal force; and wherein the surface of revolution of said second ring member is between the surfaces of revolution of said first ring member and said third ring member.

8. A torque variable converter comprising at least one rotating first drive means; at least one rotatable second driven means; third means for absorbing the diiferences between the torques applied to the first and second means; means for transferring power from said first. means to said second means, including three surface means in cooperative association, one defined by each of said three means; at least one of said three surface means being at least one inner surface defining a radius of curvature and acting as an endless rolling path for at least one other of said surface means defining a smaller radius, whereby the corresponding means of each of said at least one other surface means is made to rotate about itself and to roll about the said at least one inner surface under the influence of centrifugal force; each of said three means having a surface of revolution, including said at least one inner surface and said at least one other surface means, which defines an axis, of which surfaces at least two have diiferent radii; two of said three means, including said corresponding means, rotating and rolling on endless paths, at least one of them under the influence of centrifugal force; said surfaces of revolution being substantially conical; and said second means being axially movable and including means responsive to the torque of said first means for regulating the axial movement of said second means, whereby the torque of said second means is varied with respect to the torque of said first means in accordance with a predetermined law.

9. A torque and speed converter comprising a first shaft, a framework and a second shaft; said first shaft including a joint; a first ring member having at least one surface of revolution integrally rotating with the first shaft through said joint enabling the first ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to effect a composite movement comprising, on one hand, a rotation linked through said joint to that of said first shaft and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation about said first shaft; a second, reacting ring member rotating integrally with the framework and comprising at least one surface of revolution; said second shaft including a further joint; and a third ring member having at least one surface of revolution rotatable integrally with said second shaft through said further joint enabling the third ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to roll according to a composite motion comprising, on one hand, a rotation in connection with said second shaft owing to said further joint and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation of its center having the same speed as that of the planetary rotation of said first ring member, bearing against and rolling on said second ring member directly or through said first ring member; said three ring members being substantially coaxial and the rotation energy being transmitted from one shaft to the other through the effect of inertial forces developed by the planetary rotation speed common to said first and said third ring members; said inertial forces insuring the necessary contact among the three ring members at two points; the surfaces of revolution of said three ring members including at least one inner surface means and at least one other surface means, which defines an axis, of which surface means at least two have different radii; two of said three ring members rotating and rolling on endless paths, at least one of them under the influence of centrifugal force; wherein said two ring members that rotate and roll are said first ring member and said third ring member, and said second ring member has said at least one inner surface means; and wherein said at least one inner surface means comprises two inner surfaces, each receiving a respective one of said first ring member and said third ring member, and said second ring member transmits the energy from said first ring member under the influence of centrifugal force to said third ring member to cause said latter ring member to rotate and to roll under the influence of centrifugal force.

10. A torque and speed converter comprising a first shaft, a. framework and a second shaft; said first shaft including a joint; a first ring member having at least one surface of revolution integrally rotating with the first shaft through said joint enabling the first ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to effect a composite movement comprising, on one hand, a rotation linked through said joint to that of said first shaft and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation about said first shaft; 21 second, reacting ring member rotating inte rally with the framework and comprising at least one surface of revolution; said second shaft including a further joint; and a third ring member having at least one surface of revolution rotatable integrally with said second shaft through said further joint enabling the third ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to roll according to a composite motion comprising, on one hand, a rotation in connection with said second shaft owing to said further joint and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation of its center having the same speed as that of the planetary rotation of said first ring member, bearing against and rolling on said second ring member directly or through said first ring member; said three ring members being substantially coaxial and the rotation energy being transmitted from one shaft to the other through the effect of inertial forces developed by the planetary rotation speed common to said first and said third ring members; said inertial forces insuring the necessary contact among the three ring members at two points; the surfaces of revolu tion of said three ring members including at least one inner surface means and at least one other surface means, which defines an axis, of which surface means at least two have different radii; two of said three ring members rotating and rolling on endless paths, at least one of them under the influence of centrifugal force; and wherein said first ring member rotates and rolls interior of said second ring member and said third ring member on their surfaces of revolution.

11. A torque and speed converter comprising a first shaft, a framework and a second shaft; said first shaft in cluding a joint; a first ring member having at least one surface of revolution integrally rotating with the first shaft through said joint enabling the first ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to effect a composite movement comprising, on one hand, a rotation linked through said joint to that of said first shaft and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation about said first shaft; a second, reacting ring member rotating integrally with the framework and comprising at least one surface of revolution; said second shaft including a further joint; and a third ring member having at least one surface of revolution rotatable integrally with said second shaft through said further joint enabling the third ring member to have a radial or conical freedom to roll according to a composite motion comprising, on one hand, a rotation in, connection with said second shaft owing to said further joint and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation of its center having the same speed as that of the planetary rotation of said first ring member, bearing against and rolling on said second ring member directly or through said first ring mem her; said three ring members being substantially coaxial and the rotation energy being transmited from one shaft to the other through the effect of inertial forces developed by the planetary rotation speed common to said first and said third ring members; said inertial forces insuring the necessary contact among the three ring members at two points; the surfaces of revolution of said three ringmernbers including at least one inner surface means and at least one other surface means, which defines an axis, of which surface means at least two have different radii; two of said three ring members rotating and rolling on endless paths, at least one of them under the influence of centrifugal force; and wherein said first ring member and said third ring member apply balanced forces to said second ring member.

12. A torque and speed converter comprising a first shaft, a framework and a second shaft; said first shaft in: cluding a joint; a diametrically opposed pair of first ring members each having at least one surface of revolution integrally rotating with the first shaft through said joint enabling them to have a radial or conical freedom to effect a composite movement comprising, on one hand, a rotation linked through said joint to that of said first shaft and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation about said first shaft; a second, reacting ring member rotating inter grally with the framework and comprising at least one surface of revolution; said second shaft including a further joint; and a diametrically opposed pair of third ring members each having at least one surface of revolution rotatable integrally with said second shaft through said further joint enabling the third ring members to have a radial or conical freedom to roll according to a composite motion comprising, on one hand, a rotation in connection with said second shaft owing to said further joint and, on the other hand, a planetary rotation of the centers of said third ring members having the same speeds as that of the planetary rotation of said first ring members, bearing against and rolling on said second ring member directly or through said first ring members; corresponding ring members of each pair and the second ring member being substantially coaxial and the rotation energy being transmitted from one shaft to the other through the effect of inertial forces developed by the planetary rotation speeds common to corresponding first and third ring members of each pair; said inertial forces insuring the necessary contacts among the five ring members at four points; the surfaces of revolution of corresponding first and third ring members taken with that of said second ring member including at least one inner surface means and at least one other surface means, which defines an axis, of which surface means at least two have different radii; four of said ring members rotating and rolling on endless paths, at least two of them under the influence of centrifugal force; and said pair of first ring members operating with said pair of third ring members to apply balanced forces to said second ring member through the cancellation of external forces.

13. A torque variable converter comprising at least one rotating first drive means; at least one rotatable second driven means; third means for absorbing the differences between the torques applied to the first and second means; means for transferring power from said first means to said second means, including three surface means in cooperative association, one defined by each of said three means; at least one of said three surface mean being at least one inner surface defining a radius of curvature and acting as an endless rolling path for at least one other of said surface means defining a smaller radius, whereby the corresponding means of each of said at least one other surface means is made to rotate about itself and to roll about said at least one inner surface under the influence of centrifugal force; each of said three means having a surface of revolution, including said at least one inner surface and said at least one other surface means which defines an axis, of which surfaces at least two have different radii; two of said three means, including said corresponding means, rotating and rolling on endless paths at least one of them under the influence of centrifugal force; said second means being doubled; and said third means having an inner surface which is said at least one inner surface and an outer surface, one of said second means rolling on the inner surface and the other rolling on the outer surface.

14. A torque variable converter comprising at least one rotating first drive means; at least one rotatable second driven means; third means for absorbing the differences between the torques applied to the first and second means; means for transferring power from said first means to said second means, including three surface means in cooperative association, one defined by each of said three means; at least one of said three surface means being at least one inner surface defining a radius of curvature and acting as an endless rolling path for at least one other of said surface means defining a smaller radius, whereby the corresponding means of each of said at least one other surface means is made to rotate about itself and to roll about said at least one inner surface under the influence of cerl= trifugal force; each of said three means having a surface of revolution, including said at least one inner surface and said at least one other surface means which defines an axis, of which surfaces at least two have different radii; two of said three means, including said corresponding means, rotating and rolling on endless paths at least one of them under the influence of centrifugal force; said second means being doubled; and means for individually varying the rotational speeds of said two second means.

15. A torque variable converter comprising at least one rotating first drive means; at least one rotatable second driven means; third means for absorbing the differences between the torques applied to the first and second means; means for transferring power from said first means to said second means, including three surface means in cooperative association, one defined by each of said three means; at least one of said three surface means being at least one inner surface defining a radius of curvature and acting as an endless rolling path for at least one other of said surface means defining a smaller radius, whereby the corresponding means of each of said at least one other surface means is made to rotate about itself and to roll about said at least one inner surface under the influence of centrifugal force; each of said three means having a surface of revolution, including said at least one inner surface and said at least one other surface means which defines an axis, of which surfaces at least two have different radii; two of said three means, including said corresponding means, rotating and rolling on endless paths at least one of them under the influence of centrifugal force; said second means being doubled; said third means having an inner surface which is said at least one inner sur-- face and an outer surface, said inner and outer surfaces being segments of a cone, one of said second means rolling on the inner surface and the other rolling on the outer surface; and means for individually varying the rotational speeds of said two second means, including means for axially each of said two second means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,012,629 8/1935 Huppmann 74796 X 2,035,582 3/1936 Winger 74796 2,328,536 9/1943 Bade 74796 2,831,373 4/1958 Weis 74796 3,035,459 5/1962 Legros 74208 X 3,085,450 4/1963 Graham et al. 3,119,283 1/1964 Bentov 74796 X FOREIGN PATENTS 534,341 9/1931 Germany.

897,941 11/ 1953 Germany.

506,655 6/1939 Great Britain.

161,130 4/ 1933 Switzerland.

DON A. WAITE, Primary Examiner.

TEN EYCK W. SHEAR, BROUGHTON G. DURHAM,

Assistant Examiners. 

8. A TORQUE VARIABLE CONVERTER COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE ROTATING FIRST DRIVE MEANS; AT LEAST ONE ROTATABLE SECOND DRIVEN MEANS; THIRD MEANS FOR ABSORBING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TORQUES APPLIED TO THE FIRST AND SECOND MEANS; MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING POWER FROM SAID FIRST MEANS TO SAID SECOND MEANS, INCLUDING THREE SURFACE MEANS IN COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, ON DEFINED BY EACH OF SAID THREE MEANS; AT LEAST ONE OF SAID THREE SURFACE MEANS BEING AT LEAST ONE INNER SURFACE DEFINING A RADIUS OF CURVATURE AND ACTING AS AN ENDLESS ROLLING PATH FOR AT LEAST ONE OTHER OF SAID SURFACE MEANS DEFINING A SMALLER RADIUS, WHEREBY THE CORRESPONDING MEANS OF EACH OF SAID AT LEAST ONE OTHER SURFACE MEANS IS MADE TO ROTATE ABOUT ITSELF AND TO ROLL ABOUT THE SAID AT LEAST ONE INNER SURFACE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CENTRIFUGAL FORCE; EACH OF SAID THREE MEANS HAVING A SURFACE OF REVOLUTION, INCLUDING SAID AT LEAST ONE INNER SURFACE AND SAID AT LEAST ONE OTHER SURFACE MEANS, WHICH DEFINES AN AXIS, OF WHICH SURFACES AT LEAST TWO HAVE DIFFERENT RADII; TO OF SAID THREE MEANS, INCLUDING SAID SAID CORRESPONDING MEANS, ROTATING AND ROLLING ON ENDLESS PATHS, AT LEAST ONE OF THEM UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CENTRIFUGAL FORCE; SAID SURFACES OF REVOLUTION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY CONICAL; AND SAID SECOND MEANS BEING AXIALLY MOVABLE AND INCLUDING MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE TORQUE OF SAID FIRST MEANS FOR REGULATING THE AXIAL MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND MEANS, WHEREBY THE TORQUE OF SAID SECOND MEANS IS VARIED WITH RESPECT TO THE TORQUE OF SAID FIRST MEANS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A PREDETEREMINED LAW. 